The Institute for Medical Quality
The Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ), a subsidiary of the California Medical Association (CMA), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of care provided to patients across the continuum of healthcare. IMQ offers a wide range of educational, accreditation, consultation, and certification programs. IMQ is different from other healthcare quality organizations in that it makes providing quality care easier and eliminates, rather than creates, barriers to doing so. What makes IMQ special is its emphasis on education, counseling, and direct involvement of practicing physicians.
Some, but not all, IMQ programs involve surveys of facilities and medical practices. Each program is carefully developed and continuously updated by physicians whose practices are similar to those they are currently evaluating or advising. Physician surveyors make every effort to keep materials relevant, current, and meaningful, and discard components that may be outdated or unnecessarily burdensome. If you are interested in any of the following programs or in becoming a surveyor, please call (415) 882-5151, email dly@imq.org, or visit www.imq.org.
CME ACCREDITATION PROGRAM: Accredits providers within the State of California to offer AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)(tm) for continuing medical education activities.
CME CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC COMPETENCY PROGRAM: Provides resources and contacts for cultural and linguistic competency and assists California CME providers in complying with Assembly Bill 1195.
CME CERTIFICATION PROGRAM: Assists physicians in providing documentation of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)(tm) and awards a four-year CMA certification in continuing medical education.
AMBULATORY CARE REVIEW PROGRAM: Accredits a wide range of healthcare organizations, including ambulatory surgery centers, occupational health centers, medical offices/medical groups, and other outpatient settings administering anesthesia. Recognized by MBC and insurance carriers.
CONSOLIDATED ACCREDITATION LICENSURE SURVEY PROGRAM: The Joint Commission, the Department of Public Health (DPH), and the Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ) jointly survey acute-care hospitals for accreditation and licensure.
CORRECTIONS AND DETENTIONS SURVEY PROGRAM: Offers onsite reviews of medical programs in juvenile halls and jails for consultation and accreditation.
PEER REVIEW AND MEDICAL STAFF CONSULTATIONS: Provides onsite, objective peer review of physician clinical practice with a focus on education, consultation, and quality improvement. Consultations individually designed for medical staffs.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: IMQ offers a series of educational seminars and webinars that help physicians and healthcare organizations meet regulatory and accreditation standards and provide better care. Topics include a series of ethics programs, medical staff education, disruptive physician, performance improvement, peer review, CME, regulatory requirements, standards, legal issues, etc.